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Animal welfare improvements do not necessarily improve public opinion, study finds
The pig farming sector has already introduced measures to focus on single aspects of animal welfare concerns.

Researchers assess key areas of concern in pig husbandry

A new study, which has used a comprehensive approach to assess the impact of husbandry changes on farm income, public attitudes and animal welfare, has found that measures to improve animal welfare do not automatically effect public opinion.

In response to public concerns about animal welfare, the pig farming sector introduced new measures to focus on single aspects of animal welfare concerns, rather than multiple aspects,  however these changes did not improve public opinion.

The new study – published in the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) journal Animal Welfare – was carried out in the Netherlands. Researchers evaluated animal welfare measures in terms of their effect on animal wellbeing, farm income and public attitudes.

Four common areas of concern in pig husbandry were defined – piglet mortality, tail biting and the indoor housing of gestating sows. Researchers assessed four husbandry changes within each area, including camera surveillance of farrowing, tail docking with analgesia, and provision of straw.

A simulation model was created to estimate and compare the effects of each of these measures for animal welfare, farm income and public opinion.

The results showed that even the most efficient measure in terms of welfare – that which included straw provision, daylight and increased group sizes for gestating sows – still had a low effect on public attitudes.

Ultimately, researchers concluded from the results that measures which improve animal welfare do not necessarily equate to the same degree of improvement in either public attitudes or farm income.

Co-author of the study Dr Tamara Bergstra said: “Our findings indicate that it is essential to use a more comprehensive approach for evaluating animal welfare measures that integrate animal welfare, farm income and public attitudes.” 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

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News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."